Harlequin Historical September 2021--Box Set 1 of 2

by Christine Merrill

  He knew it. “Oh? Are you okay?”

  That was a safer question than what he’d almost asked. What did she say? Was it about me?

  “Yes, I will be. She just has a way of saying things to me that make me feel like a little girl who’s too dumb to make her own decisions—a lot like how my mother used to make me feel sometimes.”

  Lorenzo almost pulled the car over because he wanted her full attention when he said this. “You are not a little girl. You are smart, brilliant, insanely talented, gorgeous and fearless. You are amazing. Anyone who has spent any amount of time with you knows that. Your grandmother knows that. When someone loves you, they can get in a huff when their children don’t live their lives they want them to. It’s hard to let go of control over your child. I know exactly how you feel.”

  She let out a breath that sounded like a laugh. “I think that’s why Carmichael moved away.”

  Lorenzo didn’t say anything, but he could see why her brother would move. Their grand was intense.

  “She’s just protective, you know...? She, better than anyone, understands the world we’re living in, and she doesn’t want to see us get hurt. She tried to keep us in these cocoons, and she’s scared to death that she’s going to lose us now that we’ve both gotten out of her reach.”

  There was silence for a while. Lorenzo wanted to take in all he had learned from Evelyn. He knew that racism had a huge effect on people, especially Black people, but he had been naive to think it was getting better. The KKK had only just started spouting their vitriol in the city. He’d hate to see what would happen once that hatred spread.

  He didn’t want to see Evelyn get hurt. Perhaps West Eden was the best place for her—the safest place. Not with him, like he’d thought. He wanted to tell her that, but he couldn’t get the words to come out. If she stayed in West Eden and didn’t work at Blues Moon any longer he’d never see her again. But he needed to think about whether or not he could actually protect her when he had so much he was dealing with himself. He believed he could. But was belief enough?

  “You’re awfully quiet. Did she say anything to upset you?”

  Lorenzo shook his head. “Thank you for bringing me with you. I realize now how hard that must have been for you.”

  He kept his eyes on the road, trying to ignore the knot in his chest that seemed to grow as he came to terms with how naive he had been. All he’d seen was how beautiful Evelyn was. He’d known she’d been hurt, but he hadn’t known it was something he could save her from.

  “There’s a lot that I want to share...about my life,” she said. “I just don’t think I’m ready. I’m still trying to process everything that has happened, and I don’t think I’m doing a great job.”

  She adjusted her sweater on her shoulders. Lorenzo turned to look at her. Her collarbone was so damn sexy. It didn’t matter how he felt about her. He had to do the right thing, and that was to let her go.

  “You know, West Eden really is as amazing as the legend says. Why would you want to leave and come to Kansas City?”

  “Well, West Eden is limited when it comes to catapulting someone’s singing career, you know—what with the whole secrecy thing and all. I need to make a name for myself in a well-known club.”

  Nodding, Lorenzo couldn’t think of anything to refute her logic. He had to come up with something to convince her to return to West Eden. That was the only way he could assure her safety.

  Lorenzo prided himself on thinking through every possibility, but after visiting West Eden, talking to Evelyn and her grandmother about what it was like for a Black woman in this country, he couldn’t deny that he’d missed some things when he’d come up with his initial plan to keep Evelyn safe. He’d thought by simply alleviating her need to travel back and forth to the city alone he could manage any danger she might be in, but he hadn’t realized that simply being a Black woman in America was a danger all of its own, that he couldn’t manage for her.

  They continued to ride in silence.

  When Lorenzo pulled the car up in front of the club the doorman opened Evelyn’s door and she got out. Lorenzo gave him the keys to pull it around to the garage, then guided Evelyn inside with his hand on the small of her back. His palm tingled from touching her. He was about to tell her he’d have her things sent up to her apartment, but he didn’t get a chance.

  “Will you help me take my things up?” She smiled.

  “I’ll take care of it.” Lorenzo grabbed a few of her bags and left the rest for one of his staff to bring up.

  The club had several patrons. Some sat at the tables close to the stage, some sat at the bar and some danced. He and Evelyn walked to the back, to the elevator.

  “Good evening. Sixth floor please.” Evelyn said.

  The elevator operator smiled and closed the iron gate. He cranked the handle on the elevator, and they jerked as it rose from the ground.

  Lorenzo wanted to take Evelyn’s hand, to hold her close to him. He used all of his willpower to keep his feet planted where they were...a safe distance from this doll who had walked into his life out of nowhere.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Evelyn

  After they dropped her bags off in her apartment, Lorenzo left to return to the club. Evelyn got dressed and made her way downstairs as well.

  When she entered from the back, the music thrummed, sending exciting waves of sensation through her. She loved the atmosphere of Blues Moon. It left her feeling so invigorated.

  Walking past Lorenzo’s office, she saw Lorenzo meeting with Tommy, Jeb and Dred. She wondered what they were discussing, but recognized that it wasn’t her concern.

  The way the others looked at Lorenzo showed his authority. He’d handed them each a stack of papers and seemed to be explaining something to them. He was the leader of their very capable group. Seeing him in action excited Evelyn.

  When he looked up, he saw her staring at him. He smiled like they shared a secret. She looked away and went to her dressing room.

  She’d thought long and hard about how different their lives really were. His was embroiled in violence, even though he’d tried to minimize the impact on his life by leaving his family. He had fought for his freedom from the De Luca name, but that didn’t mean he didn’t still reap benefits from his family’s power.

  Evelyn, on the other hand, was trying to navigate in a world that devalued her at every turn. How could she and Lorenzo ever be more than what they were: just acquaintances?

  She sat down at her vanity to touch up her makeup. A knock at the door alarmed her. “Come in.” Her pulse raced, hoping it was Lorenzo.

  Yalaina stuck her head in, her full curls swaying. “Hi, sorry to bother you. I just wanted to see how things are going.”

  “I’m doing well, Yalaina. Thank you. You’ve been so kind.”

  “Well, I’m so glad you’re here. Getting to hear you sing has been really inspirational. It has also made Lorenzo more open to my singing career. He sees himself as my surrogate guardian, since I’ve never known my father. And he’s overprotective.”

  Evelyn nodded. She agreed with Yalaina’s assessment of Lorenzo.

  “Can I ask you a few questions?” Yalaina stepped into the room, leaving the door open.

  “Absolutely. Please, have a seat.”

  Evelyn turned in her seat to face Yalaina as she sat on the sofa. They talked for a little while about the best ways to keep their voices strong, and how to project using their diaphragms. Evelyn really enjoyed talking about singing with the young woman.

  “Now, can I ask you a question?” Evelyn said, a bit hesitant.

  “Of course.” Yalaina’s expression was eager.

  “I don’t want to seem like I’m gossiping, but if I’m going to work here I would like to know a bit more about the boss. He seems genuinely nice...”

  That wasn’t really a question, but sh
e hoped Yalaina would understand where she was going.

  “He is very nice. He’s been like a big brother to me ever since my momma moved us here to Kansas City when I was about five. I’ve grown up with Lorenzo’s family. You wouldn’t even know they were involved in dangerous things. They just seem like a tight-knit family. I know that walking away was really hard on him. I think deep down he still questions if he did the right thing.” Yalaina looked at the door nervously. “Well, I better get going.” She got up and walked to the door. “I’m looking forward to hearing you sing tonight.” She smiled and walked out.

  * * *

  Lorenzo sat down at the bar as Evelyn wiped her mouth with her napkin. There were so many people surrounding him that she couldn’t see his face. She sighed inwardly. That had been the case the entire evening. She’d hoped for a moment alone with him, but he had been busy with his customers, and with Jeb, Dred and Tommy. She’d just had dinner alone.

  Looking down, she was fixing her gloves when she felt his warm eyes on her.

  “Do you mind if I join you?” he said, with his gorgeous mouth turned up in a slight smile.

  “Of course not,” she said.

  When he stood at her side of the booth she scooted over so he could sit. He slid closer to her than he needed to, considering there was plenty of room on the seat. She didn’t want him to move, however. She enjoyed the warmth of his shoulder against hers and the way his thigh just barely touched hers.

  “Any plans after your set is over?”

  The darkness his gray eyes had taken on seemed to swallow Evelyn.

  She shook her head. “No. Do you have something in mind?”

  “I do. Can I walk you up to your apartment after?”

  She cleared her throat. “Yes.”

  He placed a gentle kiss on her cheek before sliding out of the booth.

  * * *

  The elevator operator opened the gate to the sixth floor. Lorenzo motioned for Evelyn to step out first. She took a deep breath and smiled at the operator. She noticed how his arms bulged under his white dress shirt. She wondered how hard it was to do his job...

  The hallway sconces by each apartment door glowed bright. Evelyn walked to the second of the three doors that formed a circle. She retrieved her key from her pocketbook and opened the door to the apartment. The bright light through the windows took a moment for her to get used to.

  She smiled up at Lorenzo as she entered the apartment first. He definitely had gentlemanly ways. “Can I offer you some tea?”

  Evelyn placed her handbag on the counter and stepped out of her shoes. Her feet were hurting, and she couldn’t take it anymore.

  “I would like that.” He sat down on her sofa.

  She walked over to him with a tray. Sat it on the coffee table in front of them.

  “You were busy tonight,” she said as she prepared the tea.

  “Yes, that’s how it usually is. I like to interact with the customers. I feel like they come to Blues Moon not just for music, food and drinks, but also to socialize. I like to be a part of that.”

  Evelyn nodded as she took a sip of her hot drink. She’d watched as he’d smiled and laughed with so many different people. Men clapped him on the back, and women stared at him like he was a movie star. All the while he’d found her and locked eyes with her throughout the night. It had been like he wanted to let her know that he was thinking about her, that even with all those people vying for his attention his attention had still been on her.

  “Is something wrong?” Evelyn had noticed a change in his demeanor.

  He sat his cup down on the tray. She did the same. His jaw was clenched, like he was trying to hold something in that he wanted to say.

  “Please, tell me,” Evelyn said.

  He looked at her and then he wrapped his arms around her. He pulled her into his body. His desire, evident in his lust-filled gaze, bewildered Evelyn. Maybe what he desired wasn’t her, but just being near a woman’s body. She needed to know how he felt about her.

  Evelyn pulled away.

  Lorenzo ran his hands through his hair. “I’m sorry. I wish I could continue to pretend like you aren’t the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen and that your scent doesn’t make me want to place kisses all over your body, but I can’t. Being near you kills me. Because I can’t have you, and I’m used to getting whatever I want. I’m trying so hard to be the good guy...but I’m not a good guy, Evelyn.”

  Evelyn furrowed her brow, confused by his words. “Do you mean you’re not a good guy because you have someone already and now you are attempting to...to sleep with me? I’m not the kind of woman who is okay with being a mistress—your secret to keep on the side.”

  Lorenzo’s gaze grew fiery. He stood and started pacing the living room. “What are you talking about? I don’t have anyone. I’ve been single for many years. Ever since...” He trailed off and walked away from her, going farther into the apartment.

  “Ever since what?”

  He was keeping something from her, and she wanted to know what, but how could she demand he tell her his secrets when she refused to tell him hers?

  “It doesn’t matter. What made you think I have someone?” He turned back around to face her.

  She walked up to him. She stood close, so that she could look into his eyes. “That woman from the other night with the KKK—the woman who slipped in and drugged them all before they knew what was happening—you left with her. And I saw the picture in your apartment. You’ve known her your entire life.”

  “That’s right. I have known Dred most of my life—as a sister. Her mother and my father were lovers.”

  Evelyn let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. A humorless laugh escaped her. Rubbing her hands together, she looked away from him. She’d assumed that because the woman—Dred—was so beautiful, Lorenzo must be involved with her. She shook her head at her foolish actions. She’d been so jealous and angry. Why...? Why had she felt that way?

  Wrapped up in her own thoughts, she was taken aback when Lorenzo cupped her face and stepped in closer to her, so that their bodies touched. Desire radiated off him in waves and suddenly her head spun.

  It was a heady feeling to know she turned on such a gorgeous man. He wanted her—and she wanted him too. She was finally ready to be honest with herself. She was a grown woman and she could make her own choices. She’d been so cautious with men her entire life, and now she’d found one that she didn’t want to be cautious with. She wanted to give him whatever he wanted.

  “I’m going to kiss you now,” he said.

  Evelyn nodded, too stunned to say anything. She’d allow herself this one moment of weakness. She’d been strong ever since Greenwood. She could give herself this one night to do what she really wanted, without worrying about the consequences of her actions.

  Lorenzo leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. The feather-light kiss soon grew in intensity. She tried to keep up. When his tongue probed, she let him enter her mouth, reaching up to allow him better access.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, suddenly she was off the ground. Her legs clung to his waist and he held her up by cupping one arm under her bottom while the other hand searched her hair. He sat her on the countertop, making her the perfect height for him. Then he hesitated for a moment, breaking their kiss, leaning his forehead against hers, searching her face.

  “No, don’t stop, please...” She pulled him to her until their lips met, and this time she thrust her tongue into his warm, sweet mouth. His mustache and beard scraped her face. She loved how manly he was. She loved that his large, callused hands had found the bare skin under her shirt and were searching her back and sides.

  She arched up, hoping he would take off her bra and touch her breasts. She’d never been touched there, and she so desperately wanted to feel his hands on her. There was a pressure building up at her core
that she needed to be relieved.

  “Please...” she said again.

  “Please, what?” His voice rumbled against her mouth.

  “Please, I need you.”

  Those words must have done something to Lorenzo because he shoved up her skirt and ran his hands along her thighs. The absence of his warmth on her back sent a chill down her spine, but she wasn’t complaining. She thoroughly enjoyed having his hands on her, no matter where they were.

  Her face heated at the thought of him seeing firsthand how much she wanted him and how her body reacted to his touch. But he kissed her, their lips crashing together.

  Before Evelyn could register the change in Lorenzo he pulled away from her, growling as he took a step back. He avoided her eyes. Her skirt was still hiked up around her hips.

  “What? What’s wrong? Why’d you stop?”

  The sudden shift in his actions had left her panting and brought tears to her eyes. She refused to blink, afraid they would cascade down her cheeks like a parade, announcing how badly she’d wanted him to keep touching her.

  “We can’t. I can’t.” He ran his hand through his always perfectly neat hair.

  “Why not?”

  “Because you work at my club, and I’m older than you...more experienced. I’m supposed to protect you. I shouldn’t be taking advantage of you in this way.”

  “You aren’t taking advantage of me—and I’m not some damsel in distress who doesn’t know what she’s doing. I’m fully aware of what I’m doing and very capable of making my own choices.”

  If Evelyn was the type of woman to use profanity, she would. Lorenzo continued to underestimate her and it boiled her blood. She’d never wanted anyone as much as she wanted him, needed him. It scared her and thrilled her. After all life had thrown at her she deserved to have this pleasure, and he’d ripped it away without even considering what it meant to her.

  His selfish, self-centered actions made her want to throttle him. She wanted to slide off the counter, but she was so humiliated by his rejection all she could muster was pulling her skirt down to cover as much of her legs as possible.